Why book?
For an unexpected escape from the noise of Manhattan. The Concorde Hotel offers a warm, home-away-from-home with large, spacious hotel rooms and gorgeous views overlooking Midtown East.
Set the scene
Centrally located in Midtown East near Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Museum of Modern Art, Times Square, and more, the hotel sits between several subway stations making it very easy to navigate the city. Restaurants, bars, and shops surround the Concorde, but you truly do not need to leave the premises if you prefer peace and quiet: As soon as you walk into the lobby, the noise of the bustling New York streets dissipates; something unexpected in the chaos of New York City. The 37-floor building just off Lexington Avenue and 55th Street—if you’re not looking for it—is quite easy to overlook; two double doors open as you enter into the lobby where marble floors, wooden beams, and a gold and green interior greet you. Guests are a mix of families, tourists, businessmen and women, and those who just wanted to enjoy the restaurant, Bonsaii, for happy hour drinks with friends.
The backstory
This was once a residential building before being bought by British Airways in 1985 as a place to house crew, flight attendants, and pilots. Since then it's been bought by a Singaporean hotel group (this is the only property they own in New York), and once the contract with British Airways ended in 2018 the property turned into a hotel. The Concorde opened in 2020, shutting down after just one month in business due to the pandemic. The property officially reopened their doors in May 2021 as a 37-floor option with only three to four rooms per floor.
The rooms
The Concorde Hotel is home to 122 guest rooms; I stayed in the Junior Suite which, at 450 square feet, felt like my own personal New York City apartment. The space was equipped with a king-size bed, a built-in seating area, a full bathroom with a separate soaking bathtub and rainfall shower, a working desk, and a living area with a pull-out couch. The suite boasted automatic black-out blinds, pink-tinted windows, a Nespresso machine, and flat screen TV. The bed felt like sleeping on a cloud and, after a 9-hour flight, was exactly what I needed. I also loved the generous space to put my luggage and bags away properly; they didn’t have to be placed on the bed or floor. The modern windows easily blocked out the noise of the busy streets nearby and allowed for some respite from the hustle and bustle, and the suite had a sleek, minimalist modern design with a lot of marble and wood touches.
Food and drink
Located on the first floor of the Concorde Hotel, Bonsaii Tapas & Wine Bar is an unassuming, quaint café. In the morning, you can find coffee and light bites such as omelets and parfaits. In the evening, the café transforms into a chic NYC wine and tapas bar. The food is a fusion of Asian and Spanish cuisine with traditional small plates such as the bluefin tuna crudo, baked Asian wings, and ceviche aguachile. Take your pick from a selection of wines, sakes, and wine-based spirits such as their saketini made of lychee puree, sensei sake, and simple syrup. Perfectly situated next to Lexington Avenue, there's no shortage of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars within walking distance.
The neighborhood/area
Bring a good pair of comfortable shoes; at the Concorde you’re within walking distance to a plethora of Manhattan attractions. You’re also right by the E, A, C, 6, and multiple other train lines to downtown, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, and there's also plenty of shopping to be done in the neighborhood, from local storefronts to luxury stores like Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren, and Chanel. You’re right in the middle of a fun social scene with many happy hours happening nearby. The hotel can also arrange cars for you to get you wherever you need to go.
The service
It was the best part. Check-in process was quick and simple, and included a voucher for complimentary wine at Bonsaii. Guest services called up to my room to make sure everything was to my liking, and throughout my stay I was constantly recognized by staff and drawn into friendly conversation. Seeing the same warm, welcoming faces felt like I was coming home each day. I quickly became friendly with the members of staff and looked forward to seeing them on my way in or out of the hotel—the atmosphere felt professional, but not too stuffy.
Anything left to mention?
The hotel is constantly being upgraded and redesigned; the Concorde currently has plans to build an executive lounge by Fall 2024 and also has a courtyard for private events.
127 E 55th St, New York City, New York 1002
USA
https://bonsaiirestaurant.com/
(212) 355-2755